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Re: Should the US finally switch over to the metric system?

Originally Posted by Smeagol

However, in order to be fully functional in a measurement system its best to have the ability to think in that system without having to go through a conversion process. The same is true of learning a new language. I know intuitively 75 degrees and breezy is a nice day weather wise. 24 degrees Celsius means nothing to me without looking it up.

In all objectivity, metric makes way more sense as a measurement system. Celsius, the units temperature is measured is indexed to the temperature at which water freezes and boils; zero is ice and 100 is boiling water. Meters are indexed to the distance between the north or South Pole and the equator. There are probably very logical benchmarks on volume and weight too but I haven't looked.

I say we use both concurrently for the benefit of international commerce if nothing else.

Yet every child can easily learn 32 for freezing and 212 for boiling. It isn't that hard. People are acting like this is some hindrance to us. It isn't. I've never had any issue with it, despite traveling to other countries that use the metric system. If you are living in those countries, you adapt, just as others do coming to our country. Not really a huge deal. The industries that might have issues can deal with those, can adapt and have been doing so.

"A woman is like a teabag, you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Re: Should the US finally switch over to the metric system?

Originally Posted by Smeagol

I say we use both concurrently for the benefit of international commerce if nothing else.

We currently do for stuff that is international. I semi routinely run freight to Canada. With the US originating load going to a Canadian consignee or shipper, we get two documents, one bill of lading which the weight of the cargo is denoted in pounds, and the commercial invoice for the foreign consignee in which the freight is denoted in kilograms.

I understand what you're talking about being able to use both system seamlessly, but for how infrequently I use metrics that is pointless. In Canada when I pull into a waystation their way stations measure weight in kilograms, but if I scale a load at a truck stop scale in the United States, certified weight is in pounds and not kilograms, so I have to do a conversion to make sure I'm within the weight boundaries.

Originally Posted by Dr. Chuckles

No one cares about your stupid hippy logic

"Be careful of averages, the average person has one breast and one testicle"
-Dixy Lee Ray

Re: Should the US finally switch over to the metric system?

1/2 gallon of water is about 4.25 lbs (I know this because 1 gallon of water is about 8.5 lbs, milk is likely to be around the same).

Yeah. Easy conversions.

What about 18.5 ounces? Quick!

Many Trump supporters have lots of problems, and those deplorables are bringing those problems to us. They’re racists. They’re misogynists. They’re islamophobic. They're xenophobes and homophobes. And some, I assume, are good people.

Re: Should the US finally switch over to the metric system?

Originally Posted by EMNofSeattle

We currently do for stuff that is international. I semi routinely run freight to Canada. With the US originating load going to a Canadian consignee or shipper, we get two documents, one bill of lading which the weight of the cargo is denoted in pounds, and the commercial invoice for the foreign consignee in which the freight is denoted in kilograms.

I understand what you're talking about being able to use both system seamlessly, but for how infrequently I use metrics that is pointless. In Canada when I pull into a waystation their way stations measure weight in kilograms, but if I scale a load at a truck stop scale in the United States, certified weight is in pounds and not kilograms, so I have to do a conversion to make sure I'm within the weight boundaries.

hmmph, the haulers I use to go into Canada tell me they can get scaled in pounds in Canada, but they usually have to ask.

you can also get scaled in Kilograms in the US... but its the same way, ya gotta ask.

as a side note, if you're legal in the US, you're legal in Canada... but the inverse doesn't apply...Canada allows for heavier loads ( sometimes much much heavier.. I think their max is about 140k compared to our max of 80k without permits)

Re: Should the US finally switch over to the metric system?

hmmph, the haulers I use to go into Canada tell me they can get scaled in pounds in Canada, but they usually have to ask.

you can also get scaled in Kilograms in the US... but its the same way, ya gotta ask.

as a side note, if you're legal in the US, you're legal in Canada... but the inverse doesn't apply...Canada allows for heavier loads ( sometimes much much heavier.. I think their max is about 140k compared to our max of 80k without permits)

Yes except for one thing, Canada has different bridge laws in the United States. I am very limited as to where I can set the trailer tandems to shift weight. There are limited circumstances where you can make a load US legal but Canada illegal and vice versa. I did one run where I had to shift the trailer axles all the way forward to scale the load legal in the United States, then right before I got to the border shift the axles back and then the load was US illegal but Canada legal. That type of stuff you have to be really careful with.

I wasn't aware I could ask for kilogram Weighs on a cat scale, but Canadian weigh stations wait only in kilograms, as do many shipper scales, which necessitates doing metric to pound conversions if you pick up a Canadian originating load bound for the United States

Originally Posted by Dr. Chuckles

No one cares about your stupid hippy logic

"Be careful of averages, the average person has one breast and one testicle"
-Dixy Lee Ray

Re: Should the US finally switch over to the metric system?

Originally Posted by EMNofSeattle

Yes except for one thing, Canada has different bridge laws in the United States. I am very limited as to where I can set the trailer tandems to shift weight. There are limited circumstances where you can make a load US legal but Canada illegal and vice versa. I did one run where I had to shift the trailer axles all the way forward to scale the load legal in the United States, then right before I got to the border shift the axles back and then the load was US illegal but Canada legal. That type of stuff you have to be really careful with.

I wasn't aware I could ask for kilogram Weighs on a cat scale, but Canadian weigh stations wait only in kilograms, as do many shipper scales, which necessitates doing metric to pound conversions if you pick up a Canadian originating load bound for the United States

damn Canadians ..they oughta stop being lazy and adopt the US imperial system

I hear ya though...I work from mainly a shippers POV( import/export).. not so much a truckers POV anymore....I get the occasional load to Canada, but most of my deals are in maritime shipping to South America ( which is a whole new multileveled cluster****)

Re: Should the US finally switch over to the metric system?

Originally Posted by Threegoofs

Yeah. Easy conversions.

What about 18.5 ounces? Quick!

What for? You act like there is going to be some life or death situation to convert. Honestly, that is an irrational argument for the vast majority of the time. The only time it may come to life or death would be in medicine, and that is already in mL.

"A woman is like a teabag, you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Re: Should the US finally switch over to the metric system?

Originally Posted by roguenuke

What for? You act like there is going to be some life or death situation to convert. Honestly, that is an irrational argument for the vast majority of the time. The only time it may come to life or death would be in medicine, and that is already in mL.

I'm a pharmacist. It's often life and death situations.

And sometimes it's ml, sometimes it's tsp, sometimes it's tbsp.

That causes overdoses and underdoses. I would guess it does it every single day in kids.

Many Trump supporters have lots of problems, and those deplorables are bringing those problems to us. They’re racists. They’re misogynists. They’re islamophobic. They're xenophobes and homophobes. And some, I assume, are good people.